What rims are you using? I find that I get more rim damage from potholes and the like with heavier spokes; ie the middle 80%. The Race is 1.8, the Strong 2.0. 2.0 is 23% larger, ie 23% stiffer and with 81% of the stretch, so that much harder on rims with hard hits. For lightish rims like Mavi Open Pros, I avoid 2.0s like the plague. (Well, I often pick up new wheels cheap laced with factory 2.0 and ride them until I'm in wheel-building mode, then they get ripped out and 2-1.6-2s laced in (2-1.8-2 on the right rear).

Ben